Sign the Declaration of Solidarity!Wagunpi Woashake Wikicupi On March - 21 - 2013

Support the Lakota Elders by signing the Declaration of Solidarity. Through the support of other Indigenous nations and societies, human rights groups, community organizations, student groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and individuals we can build pressure to end genocide and show the Elders they are no longer alone!

Download the Declaration of Solidarity. Until we have an online form created, to sign the Declaration, please provide your organization or individual name by email to lakotasolidarity [at] gmail.com THANK YOU!

DECLARATION OF SOLIDARITY & SUPPORT

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, demand an end to the ongoing genocide of the Lakota Oyate (People), a sovereign Indigenous First Nation of North America (Turtle Island) who have existed on the continent since time immemorial.

WE RECOGNIZE the Lakota Oyate, as represented by their customary matriarchal system, have the unassailable natural right to their sovereign territory, to political self-determination, and to freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development without interference.

WE RECOGNIZE the Lakota are still in active resistance to the colonial invasion of their sovereign ancestral territory by Euro-American settlers, the United States military, and corporations given standing by U.S. law.

WE RECOGNIZE the Lakota Oyate are traditionally a matriarchal people, led by the Elder Grandmothers, and this matriarchal leadership has been forced underground by patriarchal systems of the United States Government.

WE RECOGNIZE in the past, and continuing into the present, the Lakota Oyate are being deliberately inflicted with conditions of life intended to mentally and physically destroy their people and prevent them from preserving and developing their sovereign culture.

WE RECOGNIZE genocidal conditions of life have created a minority of traditional and grassroots Lakota Oyate who are the remaining 6000-8000 Lakota language speakers, culture holders, and freedom fighters within a majority of Lakota forcefully assimilated into American lifestyles.

WE RECOGNIZE the average age of these traditional Lakota language speakers and culture holders is 65 years: Elders.

WE RECOGNIZE that while genocidal conditions of life exist against the majority of Lakota people, the traditional and grassroots Elders and Oyate face disproportionate levels of violence, abuse, neglect, enforced poverty, and deprivation of basic human needs as retaliation for their continued resistance to forced assimilation, racism, and systemic corruption.

WE HOLD ACCOUNTABLE those who bring about these genocidal conditions of life on Lakota Elders and Oyate including:

United States Government policies and actions originating from the Office of the President, the U.S. Congress, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. State Department, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Defense, and others;

The failed and corrupt United States tribal government system, represented by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Tribal Council (OST), that was illegally imposed by the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 without the consent of the Lakota people;

Policies of the U.S. state governments of South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana;

The unregulated actions of U.S. and foreign Corporations on sovereign Lakota territory unceeded by Treaty agreements;

All other persons, institutions, and criminal organizations that are complicit in the physical destruction, impoverishment, exploitation, or assimilation of the Lakota Oyate to the complete termination of sovereign Lakota lands, culture, and identity.

WE HOLD ACCOUNTABLE the United Nations and International Criminal Court for failing to uphold and enforce the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1969 Vienna Convention on Treaties, and the 2007 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

WE DEMAND AN END to all policies and practices bringing about genocidal conditions of life against the Lakota Oyate, and by consequence, all Indigenous nations on Turtle Island.

WE WILL PRESSURE the United States Government, state governments, and International governing bodies to meet with delegations of traditional and grassroots Lakota Elders, to end genocidal policies and practices, and return stolen Lakota territory.

WE WILL SUPPORT the traditional and grassroots Lakota Oyate in the renewal of their customary matriarchal system led by the Grandmothers.

WE WILL SUPPORT an immediate end to the systems that abuse, neglect and harm Lakota Elders, so they may be free to share Lakota language, culture, and knowledge with future generations of their people.

WE WILL STAND BEHIND THE LAKOTA GRANDMOTHERS with integrity and perserverance, in togetherness with those creating a free and sovereign future for the Lakota Oyate.

Lakota Elders Truth Tour (April 1 – April 16+) A delegation of traditional grassroots Lakota elders and activists will travel from Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to the United Nations (U.N.) offices in New York, and U.S. Government offices in Washington D.C., to present irrefutable evidence of the ongoing genocide of the Lakota Oyate (Lakota people).

Lakota elders and activists will visit 13 cities and speak out to end the genocide of their people and reclaim their traditional matriarchal leadership. They will also show their incendiary documentary “Red Cry.” Join us to end these atrocities.

Post subject: Re: International Day of Solidarity with Lakota Grandmothers

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 7:18 pm

Joined: Sat Dec 26, 2009 4:53 pmPosts: 654

Solidarity Principles

In order to meet and expand our ability to protect the Lakota people, we need to grow our base of mutual-aid support. We seek people who can:

Work with integrity and respect. Be trustworthy and follow through on commitments. Not be sidetracked by people who slander, divide, or try to interrupt solidarity. Perform mutual-aid activities without imposing your own political, religious, or cultural beliefs. Work alcohol and drug free during support activities and will not bring these substances into spaces where Native people are present. Provide mutual-aid work without seeking to be taught Native “wisdom”, cultural practices, or to “become” like the Lakota.

MORE TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE SOLIDARITY WORK

RECOGNIZE – If you are non-Native, recognize your place as a settler on occupied Indigenous lands thatare still under active and ongoing resistance.

SOBER – Respect the destructive influences of alcohol and drugs on Indigenous communities. Always work sober within Indigenous spaces and projects. NEVER bring drugs or alcohol into Indigenous spaces. LSP is a sober project and any person under the influence will be asked to leave.

CULTURAL RESPECT – Working as an ally to Indigenous people does not entitle you to their spirituality. Leave your own cultural and spiritual baggage at the door. Cultural appropriation destroys opportunities for Indigenous solidarity.

ELDERS – NEVER speak over an Elder who is talking. Be patient during pauses in their speech. Make sure they are fed first. Assist them when they ask. Defend them from harm.

CEREMONY – Only participate in Indigenous ceremony if you are specifically invited. It is not traditional to participate in another Nation’s ceremony unless it is intended to be open.

PROTOCOL – DO NOT take pictures or video of Indigenous ceremonies unless given the approval to do so. NEVER photograph or video sacred objects like pipes, medicine bags, masks, totems, etc. If in doubt, ask! If there is no one to ask, don’t do it!

MAKE SPACE – Suppress enthusiasm for your own ideologies, beliefs, ideas and solutions to further empower problem solving and decision making among Indigenous people. You are not here to “save” Indigenous people but to be allies in a struggle for survival.

PATIENCE – Work patiently at the speed of Indigenous leadership, reflection and decision-making. Deadlines are usually less important than acting in the most thoughtful (effective) way.

INTEGRITY – Always do what you say you are going to do. Always. Work with integrity. When given a task, do it to the best of your ability. When you mess up, apologize earnestly.

ACCOUNTABILITY – Be accountable to the communities you serve, including traditional Elders and warriors who are the customary leaders or defenders of their people.

COMMUNICATION – Expand opportunities for Indigenous people to speak for themselves.

PREPARE – Emotionally prepare yourself for solidarity work including the ability to deal with criticism. Solidarity work is a chance to learn and grow new skills and perspectives.

Post subject: Re: International Day of Solidarity with Lakota Grandmothers

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 7:28 pm

Joined: Sat Dec 26, 2009 4:53 pmPosts: 654

Call to ActionStand Behind the Lakota Grandmothers!Four Directions Call to Action in Support of Traditional Lakota Grandmothers & Ending Genocide

Genocidal warfare is still being waged against the traditional and full-blood Lakota people, and to end it, we need your attention and support right now!

The Lakota Solidarity Project with the Lakota Cante Tenza Okolakiciye (Strong Heart Warriors) are issuing an International Call To Action for both Native and non-native Warriors, Activists, Artists, Culture-Jammers, Organizers, Community Builders, Freedom Fighters, Idle-No-More Supporters, Occupy Groups, Indignados, Organizations, Coalitions, Networks, Spiritual Communities, Elders and Youth to join us at this critical moment to help end the genocide of the traditional and grassroots Lakota Oyate (people) and support the renewal of traditional matriarchal – Grandmother led leadership.

Right now, Lakota Grandmothers, Elders, Warriors, and Oyate who are the remaining traditional language speakers, culture holders, and freedom fighters, are being deliberately inflicted with conditions of life intended to bring about their destruction.

Through genocidal policies of forced assimilation only 6000-8000 Lakota still speak their language, and the average age of a Lakota speaker is 65 years old. This makes the traditional and full-blood Elders the key to any sovereign future for their people. Otherwise, governmental policies intended to turn sovereign Lakota Oyate into United States’ resident “Native Americans” will continue until the total erasure of sovereign Lakota lands, culture, and identity.

For the Lakota people to rise out of dormancy and despair – the traditional matriarchal leaders of the people – the Grandmothers- must be heard. But they face daily abuse, neglect, enforced poverty, and direct subversion in attempts to silence their voices and keep them from reclaiming their traditional leadership roles. We cannot let this fatal system of abuse continue. We must ensure their voices and leadership are heard clearly around the world right now!

6. Organize a solidarity network in your community to make sure the basic needs (Food, Clothing, Shelter) of Lakota Elders are met in the absence or failure of other support systems.

7. Host a decolonization/solidarity training in your community.

8. Explore the process of decolonization to know yourself and build relationships of integrity with Indigenous communities.

9. Arrange a musical or cultural event in your community as a fundraiser for LSP and our projects.

10. Write Lakota Elders or make a support video. Hold letter writing get-togethers with your family and friends. Let the Elders know they are supported!

11. Get involved in LSP. Become an organizer or solidarity activist in deeper support of the Lakota Elders, Warriors and Oyate! Email thembi [at]LakotaGrandmothers.org

Will you stand behind the Lakota Grandmothers?

Only by working together, can we achieve historic goals for 2013.

A broad international movement has begun to support traditional Lakota Grandmothers, Elders, Warrior-activists, and grassroots Lakota Oyate by holding the United States Government and individual State Governments accountable for their genocidal policies to the United Nations and International Community.

As a part of building this movement, the Lakota Solidarity Project will release a compelling documentary film, hold educational and musical events, and distribute activist toolkits to give local organizers ways to bring their communities together in support of the Lakota.

Join us in creating a barrage of creative publicity, attention, and support from the Four Directions in solidarity with these courageous Grandmothers, Elders and activists so they will be heard. Let’s create enough pressure so that U.S. and international officials can no longer ignore the needs and lives of Indigenous people! All culturally appropriate forms of solidarity action are welcomed and needed. In addition to our organized actions, we encourage the use of art, music, theatre, and other creative actions to bring attention to their cause.

Right now, to build this international solidarity movement. We need the following:

FULL AND PART TIME ORGANIZERS Full and Part time Organizers are urgently needed to work on this history making project. Commitment to effective, culturally appropriate solidarity with traditional elders and grassroots Lakota activists is needed. Contact Naomi at 828-230-1404 or email to strongheartsolidarity [at]gmail.com

ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT is needed to amplify our message and promote solidarity in common struggles for human rights and social justice. Contact Naomi at 828-230-1404 or email to strongheartsolidarity [at]gmail.com for more information.

WRITE THE ELDERSwith support! Write a letter or email to support these brave Elders as they regain their voices! Let them know they are not alone. Send letters by email to strongheartsolidarity [at]gmail.com or write:Lakota Elder SupportP.O. Box 517Hill City, SD 57745

MAKE MUSIC & ART FOR RESISTANCE! Song writer? Spoken word? Painter? Artist? Let this history making movement by the Lakota Grandmothers inspire you. In particular we are looking for art that does not romanticize the Lakota – but that celebrates their struggle of resistance and survival. Contact us at strongheartsolidarity [at]gmail.com for more information.http://www.lakotagrandmothers.org/action/getinvolved/

Post subject: Re: International Day of Solidarity with Lakota Grandmothers

Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:28 am

Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 3:56 amPosts: 34

Hau Mitakuyepi na mitacola,Congratulations this is the most importan campaign after the Wounded Knee ocopation.Elders are priceless wealth,thay are the keepers of the traditions and the wisdomof lacotah oyate.Thay are the last bridge to the past and therefore thay must be keep as the apple of the eye.Thay the are the guaranty for the lacotah future.Lacotah oyate may last for ever. With deep respect to Lacotah Elders and all lacotah oyate.Mitauye oyasinIvan

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum